Lawbite: Connecting Buildings Faster: Government Eases Telecoms Controls

On and from 1 September 2026, certain telecommunications works in England will face a lighter-touch building control regime.

The Government has concluded that existing procedures are disproportionate for routine fibre-optic cabling and certain mobile mast works, creating unnecessary administrative burdens.

Specified fibre-optic cabling works will not require prior building control approval, and procedural requirements will be dispensed with for certain rooftop mobile communication mast works on buildings within the scope of the higher-risk building (“HRB”) regime under the Building Safety Act 2022 (“BSA”) for Gateway two only. Gateway three requirements will remain. 

The dispensation relating to fibre optic cabling works will last for a period of three years, whilst the dispensation relating to mobile masts is not time limited.

The changes are being introduced following a consultation held earlier this year, “Improving proportionality and safety outcomes in building control: telecommunications work” (the “Consultation”).

This change will be of particular interest to telecoms operators, building owners, contractors, landlords, occupiers and those carrying duty holder responsibilities as principal accountable persons or accountable persons under the BSA in relation to property in England only.

What changes were needed?

Some routine telecommunications work, including fibre-optic cabling installations and certain mobile communication mast works, are considered to be subject to procedures designed for more complex higher-risk projects.

The Consultation sought views on the proportionality of control of building work related to this type of work. The objective being to explore ways of reducing procedural burdens while maintaining building safety standards.

What did respondents say?

Consultation responses broadly supported a more proportionate approach, but not at the expense of safety.

Respondents generally agreed that the current HRB regime was disproportionate when applied to fibre installations, although views were more evenly split in relation to mobile mast works. 

Respondents repeatedly raised concerns about installer competence, poor fire-stopping, reduced oversight and the risk of defective work going unnoticed. There was especially strong support for retaining ‘golden thread’ information requirements, imposing competence and product-safety conditions and developing competent person schemes. 

Many respondents also highlighted that any relaxation should not result in poorer quality works or weaken accountability for building safety.

What has the government decided?

The Government has chosen a middle-ground approach.

Directions published on 9 July confirm that on and from 1 September 2026:

• Fibre works that solely consist of the drilling of holes 25mm or less in diameter in internal or external walls (not floors or ceilings) for the installation of only fibre optic cabling will not require prior building control approval in HRBs and non-HRBs. Key safeguards have been retained, including completion notifications to the Building Safety Regulator and ongoing ‘golden thread’ requirements for HRBs
• Building work that solely consists of the installation of a mobile communication mast on a rooftop of an existing HRB and any ancillary connections or associated works required for that installation, will not require prior building control approval. This dispensation only applies to masts installed on rooftops (not external walls) and only applies to the Gateway two stage 

Key takeaways: 

• safety rules remain in force. The reforms remove certain procedural building control requirements rather than weaken building safety, meaning competence requirements, product standards, fire-stopping obligations and wider Building Regulations compliance continue to apply. Competence, accountability and fire-safety safeguards remain central to the new regime
• higher-risk buildings still require robust records. Fibre works must be notified to the Building Safety Regulator after completion, relevant ‘golden thread’ information must reach the accountable person, and mobile mast works remain subject to full Gateway three oversight
• the fibre dispensation will last three years from 1 September 2026. The government will work with industry and the Building Safety Regulator to monitor and evaluate dispensations and any associated conditions